Showing a lime-filled central heating pipe from a house in Coolballow, Cllr. Lawlor said homes serviced by the Fardsystown Water Scheme already have to incur continuous expense in replacing damaged appliances.

'I know of of one man who has replaced a shower unit 10 times and a woman who buys a new kettle once a month,' he said. The Labour councillor said he was not surprised by a statement from Irish Water announcing that they would not be installing water softeners in Wexford before water charges are introduced. Cllr. Lawlor said that if he has to, he will take a case to Europe on behalf of the hundreds of Wexford housholders living in 'hard' water areas.